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For Immediate Release:
8/15/2007
For More Information:
Matt Elliott, 609-394-8155 ext. 310 Anna Aurilio, 202-683-1250 New Jersey Environment New Jersey Applauds NJ’s Environmental Congressional ChampionsTrenton – A majority of New Jersey’s Congressmen voted for the environment 100 percent of the time in the 109th Congress in a bipartisan manner, according to the annual Congressional Scorecard on major environmental issues released today by Environment New Jersey. Environment New Jersey is releasing its annual scorecard as part of its national campaign to pass legislation through both houses of Congress requiring at least 15 percent of our electricity to come from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020. “A majority of New Jersey’s Congressmen time and again have stood up to the White House and done what’s right for the environment,” said Matt Elliott, Environment New Jersey’s global warming and clean energy advocate. “Being green in the Garden State is a bipartisan issue and we applaud our delegation’s environmental heroes.” New Jersey Congressmen who scored 100 percent on the scorecard included Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2), Rep. Jim Saxton (R-3), Rep. Chris Smith (R-4), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6), Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8), Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9) and Rep. Rush Holt (D-12). Earlier this month, the House of Representatives voted to pass a mandatory clean energy requirement of 15 percent of our energy coming from clean, renewable sources like wind and solar power by 2020. The vote was hotly contested, with some of the nation’s largest utilities opposing the measure, and passed with a fifteen-vote margin on the last voting day in Congress on Aug. 4. “We have made great strides over the past several years to help better preserve and protect our environment. While much has been accomplished, more work needs to be done. The recent passage in the House to mandate a Renewable Electricity Standard is a critical step in the right direction to ensure that we continue to pursue 21st century clean energy solutions to solve our energy needs. As I have throughout my tenure in Congress I will continue to promote legislative initiatives that will help secure safer and cleaner air and waters, help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and advance an overall healthier environment,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-4). The scorecard tracks such key environmental votes as protecting the purity of our air and water; reducing global warming pollution; promoting alternative energy use; and increasing mileage standards for vehicles. The scorecards also list information about campaign contributions, biographical data, past Environment New Jersey scores, and telephone numbers for citizens to contact their elected officials. “To really tackle the challenge of global warming, we need to wean ourselves off our addiction to fossil fuels,” Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) said. “Earlier this month, I was proud to work with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to push through a renewable electricity standard amendment on a comprehensive energy bill. This amendment provides an efficient, market-based way of moving ourselves towards sustainable, clean energy and ending this addiction. The support of groups like Environment New Jersey was instrumental in the passage of this critically important amendment.” With the help of these Congressmen and Senators, the 110th Congress is making progress in several key areas. Already, the House of Representatives has voted to cut billions of dollars in subsidies to big oil and the Senate has voted to raise gas mileage standards for the first time in over 20 years. After the lengthy effort to pass a renewable clean energy standard which culminated earlier this month, the largest environmental initiative facing the chamber is tacking global warming through the Safe Climate Act (HR 1590). The legislation, which mirrors New Jersey’s recently passed cap on emissions, is the only bill to reduce emissions on the timescale recommended by scientists to reduce global warming’s worst impacts. Current bill sponsors of the Safe Climate Act include 100 percent-er, Rep. Frank LoBiondo. “Protecting our environment – both nationally and locally here in South Jersey – requires a commitment to common-sense initiatives such as promoting conservation programs and increasing fuel efficiency standards to reduce emissions. I appreciate Environmental New Jersey’s continued efforts to raise awareness and I will continue to work to protect South Jersey’s environmental treasures,” said Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-2). After the House’s successful passage of the nation’s clean energy 15 percent standard coming from clean, renewable sources by 2015, the Senate will take up the measure in the fall. “We urge other members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to join with these environmental heroes and tackle the toughest issues we’re facing – stopping global warming pollution, moving America towards a cleaner energy future and cleaning up our most treasured waterways,” Elliott concluded. Environment New Jersey’s 109th Congressional Scorecards Summary Of 15 Key Environmental Votes. Citizens can view the full scorecard on our website at: http://static.environmentnewjersey.org/enj.asp?id=scorecard Rep. Robert Andrews
(D-1): 85% |